My journey and progress using bodyweights

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Monthly Archives: September 2012

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Didnt particularly feel up to working on the progressions today. Got a decent workout in though. I really like using the Pushup bars. I also braved the Partial Straight Leg Raises again today just to see if there was any progress. Not so much progress, but I did notice that my form is improving. Less swaying, and less arching of my back 🙂

Catch everyone tomorrow – going to be an excellent workout so check back 🙂

Decent workout today, was glad to get 12 reps in for the 1/2 One-Arm Pushup routine. Thought I’d mention that I’m still currently doing them with a wide stance at my feet. Once I’ve consistently got all three sets with twelve reps per set, then I’ll start moving my feet closer together. I honestly havent even tried them with my feet close since the first time I moved up to the 1/2 One-Arm Pushup’s.

With my Leg Raise workout today, I’m not sure if I noted this last time, but I don’t feel as though my form for the Partial Straight Leg Raise’s was good. While doing them, my body keeps swinging around, I can’t keep my upper body to stop from swaying. I’m going to move back down to the Hanging Frog Raises for the time being, and focus on slower movements, possibly a four count for the way down. I think I’ll give this a try for a few weeks, so as to build up my core strength a bit more before going back to the Partial Straight Leg Raises.

When I was doing the Partial Straight Leg Raises last time, I felt it more in my hip flexor’s and upper quads while moving in the negative motion. While raising, it was definitely hitting the abs, and with a vengeance.

I had to make sure to stretch out my shoulders a bit more today, they seem to take a hit every day. I may have to move some things around in my routine to give them a little more time for recovery.

Like I said though, decent workout today. I put more emphasis on form today, not only with my Leg Raises, but also on my 1/2 One-Arm Pushups.

OH MAN! I’ve just re-read the bit about 1/2 One-Arm Pushups in Convict Conditioning and it says this:

However, the elbows are not required to bend very greatly in this exercise, so it must never be performed by itself as the sum total of any pushup program. It should always be followed with a movement where the elbows are bent beyond ninety degrees in the bottom position; either close pushups or uneven pushups should be added afterwards.

Looks like I’m going to have to remember this for next time. I had completely forgot about this little fact at the bottom of the description. If any of you are following Convict Conditioning, I hope you noticed this little, but important bit of information. Honestly writing this right now makes me want to go do some Full Pushups with my new Pushups bars.

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend, I know I sure did. Today’s workout was overall OK, increased my rep count, but I dont know, I just wasn’t really into working out today like I usually am. I know that’s not an excuse, so I cranked out a decent set today – worst part was, I was actually looking forward to working out after work today! I had been waiting for it all day, but after I finished up my Jump Roping today, I honestly almost said ‘Screw it.’ The little whiner cropped up! Hate that little dude.

I know I would’ve regretted it if I hadn’t got to it today though. Can’t quite pin it down to what caused me to all of a sudden lose interest. I know my Jump Rope rhythm was a bit off today, so that might’ve discouraged me a bit? Who knows – leave me some comments if you were having any struggles today with your workout or motivation.

I know thats definitely the reason why I cut down my rounds with my Jump Rope today, the rhythm was just a bit off and I kept catching the rope on my feet. I actually smacked my back with the rope today which caused a nice big red line across my back, and pissed me off! I really need my heavy bag, I miss taking my aggression out on that thing 🙂

Was glad to get one more rep for the Full Pullups today though, quite a struggle though. The progress on the Pullup progressions has slowed a bit. I need to remember to remain calm and consistent, perseverance and proper form will conquer.

The 1/2 One-Leg Squats are coming along nice. Was my first time getting three sets of 12 reps with both legs, which felt good. Not sure if its because I didnt do any Uneven Squats as part of my warmup, and instead, went with two sets of Close Squats. Made sure to focus on keeping proper form and maintaining slow consistent movements throughout.

For not wanting to workout, I’d say today’s workout was a success though. Guess it’s never really a bad day when I workout. I’m usually highly motivated though – Ah well, suppose that’s good because if I had ‘normal’ motivation I might’ve been able to let the ‘whiner’ talk me out of a good session today 🙂

Girlfriend decided to show up yesterday and surprise me! Hard to get a calisthenics workout in while shes in town. Not complaining, but I was really pumped to get my workout on yesterday and de-stress myself from the long work week. She had a bit of studying to do today so it gave me a little time frame to get in a workout, albeit a bit short and not what I’d exactly like, it’s still a workout 🙂

A note on todays workout, I completed it as a circuit style – NO REST! – It went Pushup -> Leg Raise -> HSPU.

Had my grandparents from out-of-town stop by for a visit yesterday, so yet again I missed out on the HSPU day =(, although it was really nice to get to see them – Its pretty rare these days.

Todays workout was pretty solid though, the 1/2 One-Leg Squats definitely beat me up a bit. Was nice to progress with both workouts, although the Full Pullups only increased by one rep, its still progress 🙂 I love doing Pullups either way, especially those Wide Grip Pullups. Got double 12 rep sets again, which feels good. Definitely struggle with the last two reps for both sets though.

I’m thinking that by the end of next week I’ll be on to full-blown Pistol Squats, the assisted ones are basically the same thing. I may give them a shot though, just so I can follow the progression properly. I know I can do the Full Pistol Squats already so it’s hard to decide.

Not sure if its the extra range of motion with the bars, but my left shoulder is kind of being strained when I do these Regular Pushups.

I’ve decided that I don’t like these Partial Straight Leg Raises, they make me mad! haha – No better feeling then finishing up these sets. Not sure what it is about them, other then them being extremely difficult. Had to persevere through it today though. The little whiner popped up in my mind telling me to give in.